Pregnancy Week 17 - Pregnancy Week by Week Development

Ultrasound of your developing baby is a cause of pleasure in week 17 of pregnancy. You should include your partner more and more in your regular life now.

Quick Bites

Take your prenatal vitamin medications and balanced diet regularly

Stay hygienic, wear clean clothes

Distinct facial features of your baby on a sonogram can be noticed

Baby would have developed the ability to hear voices, so you can talk to it

By the Week 17 of pregnancy, you are by and large quite relaxed because of your body’s adjustment to the hormonal and physical changes. Now onwards, each week or month will show different symptoms in you. Your prescribed medicines can result in rashes and allergies in this week.

Do not get any over the counter medication for such problems. It should always be done after consultation with your doctor because they know how your body is coping with pregnancy week by week. Only a few over the counter medicines are harmless during pregnancy. You need to keep your blood sugar up in this condition with small snacks throughout the day.

It would also be advisable to avoid standing or even sitting at one place for long periods of time. It may make you feel like cramping. Keep changing positions frequently. If you ever feel dizzy, lie down and put your feet up.

Body Changes in Pregnancy Week 17 – What to Expect?

By now, you would be showing the bump in your belly that is so characteristic of pregnancy

The growth of abdomen shifts the other internal organs to make way for the baby

The uterus will start to move up your intestines and also to the side of the abdomen

You feel the uterus while standing rather than when lying

The sciatic nerve of a pregnant woman during week 17 can get aggravated. This is the nerve that runs from the uterus to the foot

If you stand for a long time, the baby will put pressure on this nerve and aggravate it. This can be avoided by putting a pillow between your legs when sleeping at night. This is particularly helpful in the next stages of pregnancy

You are likely to increase secretions as blood is increased in the body

You might feel congested because blood flow to the mucus membrane is increased

Vaginal discharges are also normal

You should never forget to consult your doctors and unburden yourself from all concerns. By this time, you would have adjusted yourself to this condition and the movement of baby would make you feel blessed

What would add to the feeling of blessedness are your baby’s sonograms. It is really good to look at your baby

The doctor would do an Amniocentesis test at this stage to check for birth defects. It involves inserting a needle in the uterus for a sample of amniotic fluid

This can be risky because if the needle strays from its mark, it can cause miscarriage. Let the doctor know about

these concerns of yours

Baby’s development in pregnancy week 17

By this time, the baby’s height would be 6 and half inches long and weigh about 4 ounces

You would be able to notice distinct facial features of your baby on a sonogram

The baby’s eyes can be seen fully formed too but they are always closed

Skeletal development of the baby also starts

The bones will become more flexible to aid in baby’s travel through the birth canal. A protective covering will be formed on baby called vernix

The baby would also have developed the ability to hear voices and can be startled by a loud noise

Advice for Pregnancy Week 17

Your prenatal vitamin medications and balanced diet become more important from week 17

You need to take special care for staying hygienic, wearing clean clothes, changing clothes if it is drenched in sweat and take more baths than before to prevent infections

Since there is a lot of testing that needs to be done, you should clear all your doubts by asking questions from your doctor

Amniocentesis (in which needle need to be inserted into uterus) is not compulsory and you can ask your partner to get it done or not

It is very helpful in determining birth defects. Include your partner as much as possible in the decision making or just in everyday routine as many changes occur at this stage of pregnancy and they are likely to increase in the upcoming months

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